Posted on 11/13/2002 10:50:28 PM PST by VaBthang4
LOSAT LINE-OF-SIGHT ANTI-TANK WEAPONS HIGH MOBILITY MULTI-PURPOSE WHEELED VEHICLE, USA
The LOSAT Line-Of-Sight Anti-Tank Weapon, developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (formerly Lockheed Martin Vought Systems) in Dallas, Texas, consists of the Kinetic Energy Missile (KEM) and an ITAS-based fire control system integrated on an expanded capacity Heavy High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) often referred to as the Humvee.
During the 1980s the US Army began considering the replacement technologies for heavy anti-tank systems. In 1990 Lockheed Martin Vought Systems (formerly LTV) conducted test flights of the Kinetic Energy Missile and a contract for the development of the KEM was placed. In 1997, an Advanced Technology Demonstrator program was initiated and in 1998 funding was allocated for the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control supplied 12 vehicles and 44 kinetic energy hypervelocity missiles to the US Army. The program received additional funding in December 2000 and, in August 2002, Lockheed Martin received the first production contract for 108 missiles. Delivery of the missiles is to be completed by 2004. The first tactical LOSAT unit will be a company of the 5-11th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
KEM (KINETIC ENERGY MISSILE)
The Kinetic Energy Missile (KEM) is a hit to kill weapon, which uses the energy of direct impact to defeat armour and other targets. Instead of an explosive warhead, the missile relies on hypervelocity 5,000 feet per second speed to blast a penetrator rod through the heavy multi-plate armour. It reaches maximum range in less than five seconds. The system functions successfully even at high oblique angles of penetration.
The system is simple but innovative, in that the missile has no warhead, fuse or onboard sensor and the control mechanism has no moving parts. The system minimises the cost of the expended round. The missile, weighing 80kg, is fitted with four fin stabilisers and has a range of over 4km. The solid rocket motor for the missile has been developed by ATK (Alliant Techsystems) Tactical Systems Company.
FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM
The fire control system is based on the ITAS (Improved TOW Acquisition System), developed by Raytheon (formerly Texas Instruments), based in Dallas, to upgrade the weapon launcher for the TOW anti-armour missile for the US Army. Sofradir, based in France, developed the 480 x 4 focal plane array for the thermal imager. The system uses a carbon dioxide gas laser rangefinder supplied by BAE Systems North America, based in Atlanta.
OPERATION
LOSAT is capable of autonomous operation or it can be used with other systems. LOSAT is tailored to provide anti-tank capability for the Early Entry Force. The firing range of LOSAT is greater than that of current generation tank guns giving LOSAT an advantage in strike capability.
The weapon system is operated by a crew of three. An entire attack sequence from detection to destruction can be accomplished in a few seconds, at target ranges of more than two miles.
The second generation infrared sensor, which is mounted on the launch platform, is used to acquire and track the target. Once lock-on is achieved the gunner can look for the next target. The gunner can choose to engage two targets simultaneously by using both of the two target trackers. When the gunner initiates the missile fire sequence the launcher is aligned to the infrared sight and fires the round which is propelled towards the target.
The missile is internally guided along the flight path, receiving guidance updates from the targeting system aboard the launch vehicle until the target is hit.
The vehicle carries four ready to fire missiles. Eight missiles for reloading can be carried on a towed trailer. The crew of three are able to re-supply the vehicle and be combat ready in a few minutes.
TRANSPORTABILITY
The complete LOSAT HMMWV vehicle and weapon system can be air transported by helicopter and by transporter aircraft. For example ten LOSAT HMMWV can be loaded and transported on a C-5 aircraft, seven on a C-17, three on a C-141, and two on a C-130J. The V-22 Osprey and the Chinook CH-47D helicopter can each carry one LOSAT HMMWV externally loaded.
Regards,
In other words, it's just a REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY BIG
Michael
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